Question 1

Why did the residents gather near the village pond?

2. Why were the villagers crying?

3. Who was Gangaram?

4. How big was he?

5. How old was he?

6. Give three reasons to justify Gangaram was friendly:
(a) Children could
(b) Gangaram never
(c) Gangaram was very

7. What was the new name given to the village and why?

Accepted Answer

1. The residents gathered near the village pond because the crocodile Gangaram had died, and they wanted to pay their respects and attend his last rites.

2. The villagers were crying because they were emotionally attached to Gangaram and were heartbroken over his death.

3. Gangaram was a crocodile who lived in the community pond of Bawamohatra village in Chhattisgarh.

4. He was over three metres long.

5. He was estimated to be 130 years old.

6. Three reasons to justify Gangaram was friendly:
(a) Children could swim around him safely.
(b) Gangaram never harmed or attacked anyone.
(c) Gangaram was very understanding and would move to the other side of the pond if he saw anyone swimming near him.

7. The new name given to the village was "Magarmachha vala gaaon" (the Crocodile’s village) because the villagers identified themselves with Gangaram and the crocodile became a symbol of the village. — The answers are based on the story of Gangaram, the crocodile, as narrated in the listening passage. The villagers' emotional attachment and the details about Gangaram's behavior and size are explicitly mentioned in the text.

Question 2

What will the villagers do to remember their friend?

Accepted Answer

The villagers plan to build a statue of Gangaram near the pond to remember their friend and the crocodile who gave the village a new name. — The text mentions that the villagers wish to build a statue of Gangaram near the pond as a tribute.

Question 3

We all have seen hand puppets on YouTube or during story telling sessions. Try to make one hand puppet of an Otter. The situation is: Mijbil playing with water and spilling water every where. Write a few dialogues between Mijbil and Maxwell. Be the characters and exchange dialogues.

Maxwell : Oh! Mijbil, what have you done?
Mijbil : He, he

Maxwell :

Mijbil :

Maxwell :

Mijbil :

Accepted Answer

Sample dialogue:
Maxwell: Oh! Mijbil, what have you done?
Mijbil: He, he, I was just playing with the water.
Maxwell: But you have spilled water everywhere!
Mijbil: Sorry, I didn't mean to make a mess.
Maxwell: Please be careful next time.
Mijbil: I will, I promise! — This is a creative speaking exercise where students make dialogues based on the given situation. The sample answer provides a model dialogue exchange between Mijbil and Maxwell.

Question 4

You have read a story 'The Bond of Love' in the class IX textbook, Beehive. In this story, the author talks about a sloth bear that his wife kept as a pet. The sloth bear was sent to the Zoo when it became too big to be kept at home. Now, discuss in a group of four, the following points, list views, and then share in the class.

(a) Keeping any big wild animal, like the sloth bears, at home.
(b) Keeping unusual pets for pleasure
(c) Using tigers, lions, dancing bears in circus
(d) Making the monkeys dance, cock fighting, bull fighting for amusement

Accepted Answer

This is a group discussion question. Students should discuss the ethical, safety, and welfare issues related to keeping wild animals as pets, using animals in circuses, and animal fights for amusement. They should list their views and share them in class, highlighting concerns such as cruelty, loss of natural habitat, and animal rights. — The question encourages critical thinking and group discussion on animal rights and welfare based on the story 'The Bond of Love'.

Question 5

Based on the above points, write a paragraph giving your points of view. You can highlight on the loss of natural habitat, cruelty, loss of freedom etc.

Accepted Answer

Sample answer:
Keeping wild animals as pets or using them for entertainment causes loss of their natural habitat and subjects them to cruelty and loss of freedom. Wild animals need space and freedom to live naturally. When kept in captivity, they suffer physically and mentally. Using animals in circuses or fights for amusement is unethical and causes them pain and fear. We should respect animal rights and protect their natural environment. — This writing task asks students to express their views on animal rights and welfare, encouraging empathy and awareness about cruelty and habitat loss.

Question 6

Read these quotations and write one paragraph in the context of 'Animal Rights'.

(a) "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." – Mahatma Gandhi

(b) When it comes to pain, love, joy, loneliness and fear, a rat is a pig is a dog is a boy. Each one values his or her life and fights the knife." – PETA founder, Ingrid E. Newkirk

Accepted Answer

Sample answer:
These quotations emphasize the importance of treating animals with kindness and respect. Mahatma Gandhi highlights that a nation's moral progress is reflected in how it treats animals. Ingrid E. Newkirk points out that animals experience emotions like pain, love, and fear just like humans, and they value their lives. Therefore, animals deserve rights and protection from cruelty. Recognizing animal rights is essential for a compassionate and just society. — The paragraph should reflect understanding of the quotations and relate them to the concept of animal rights and ethical treatment.

Question 7

In a group of four, conduct research on the following question and write a report on the findings.

What animals can be exported or imported under law? (Customs seizures show a variety of animals from reptiles, lizards, leopards to pythons, venomous reptile. These are carried in tiny suitcases and smuggled.)

Accepted Answer

Students should research the legal regulations regarding the export and import of animals, including protected species under wildlife laws and international treaties like CITES. They should report on which animals are allowed, which are banned, and the consequences of illegal smuggling. The report should highlight the importance of wildlife conservation and legal compliance. — This project encourages research skills and awareness about wildlife protection laws and illegal animal trade.

Question 8

Make a team of four students. Imagine a unique animal or bird as a pet. Draw the animal and write the following information about it.

(a) Name of the pet and draw the animal on a chart paper.
(b) My pet: (Make a table like the following and write its specifications)

|  has | can | is  |
| --- | --- | --- |
|  For example: webbed feet, long legs. fat legs, etc. heavy body, very light weight, soft fur, feather, sense of smell, etc. | Swim, fly, run, grow tall, small size, hunt, carry weight, guard the house, etc. communicate, sing, speak, make variety of sounds to communicate, show affection, emotion, etc. | Warm-blooded, mammal, good swimmer, largest animal, smallest animal, good hunter, etc. sensitive, ferocious, short tempered, docile, smart, etc.  |

(c) What all do you have to do to keep the animal with you at home? (You can refer to the dos and don’ts given on page no. 102 of the textbook First Flight.)
(d) Prepare a write up, share it in the class, and put it on the wall for the class to read.

Accepted Answer

Students should collaboratively create an imaginary animal or bird pet, draw it, and complete the table describing its physical features (has), abilities (can), and characteristics (is). They should also describe the care required to keep the pet at home, referring to guidelines on pet care. Finally, they should prepare a write-up and present it to the class, displaying their work. — This project encourages creativity, teamwork, and application of knowledge about animals and responsible pet care.

Question 9

Which of the following care activities did the author provide for Mijbil the Otter? Select the correct option.

Accepted Answer

Feeding fish, taking for walks, providing space to play — The author showed commitment to Mijbil by providing fish as food, taking him for walks and exercise, and ensuring he had space to play, demonstrating responsible pet care.

Question 10

Complete the table: When Mijbil plunges and rolls in water, how does he feel?

Accepted Answer

Goes wild with joy — Mijbil's action of plunging and rolling in water shows that he goes wild with joy, indicating his playful and happy nature.

Question 11

What does the word 'arboreal' mean as used in the chapter?

Accepted Answer

Living on trees — 'Arboreal' refers to animals that live on trees, as explained in the context of the civet cat Bhakat who mostly lives on trees.

Question 12

Why are civet cats also called 'toddy cats'?

Accepted Answer

Because they live on palm trees and drink sweet sap collected by toddy tappers — Civet cats are called toddy cats because they live on palm trees and drink the sweet sap collected by toddy tappers to make wine.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes Baby Bhakat's diet?

Accepted Answer

Omnivorous, including meat and fruits — Baby Bhakat is omnivorous, meaning he eats both plants (like fruits) and meat, as mentioned in the passage.

Question 14

What is the significance of Baby Bhakat's large eyes?

Accepted Answer

To see better in the dark as he is nocturnal — Bhakat's large eyes help him see better in the dark because he is a nocturnal animal, active at night.

Question 15

What role do snails play in the garden as described in the passage?

Accepted Answer

They eat plants and can overrun the garden — Snails eat plants and can overrun gardens if not controlled, which is why animals like Bhakat eating snails help maintain balance.

M ijbil the O tter

M ijbil the O tter — Study Notes

LET'S BEGIN

Mijbil's Emotions and Actions

READING COMPREHENSION - TEXT I: Baby Bhakat

Practice Questions — M ijbil the O tter

All 7 Chapters in Words and Expressions 2